The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1887-09-14
A Heroic Nun


In presence of all the French troops
guarding the capital of Tonquin. the
Governor-General recently bestowed
the Cross of the Legion of Honor on a
nun. Mother Mary Teresa. Superioress
of the Sisters of Charity in that EN-
pire. The troops were drawn up in
the principal plaza of the city in
square surrounding a platform on
which We're the Governor-General and
MS staff. When an aid-de-camp was
sent TO bring the nun he found her in
the hospital eonsoling soldier who
was having his leg amputated. She
refused TO leave the bedside until the
operation was completed and then fol-
lowed the officer to the square. where
she was received by the General in
person and led up to the platform
amid the joyful eNclamations of the
soldiers. The General then COM
manded silence and i'm a solemn and
impressive tone addressed her as fol-
lows:
Mother Mary Teresa. when Won
were 20 years of age You received a
wound from cannon ball while assist
ing one of the wounded on the field of
Balaklaya. In 1859 the shell from a
mitrailleuse laid you PROSTATE in the
front rank on the battlefield of Ma
genta- Since then You have been in
Syria, in China, and in Mexico. and il
you were not wounded il was not be-
cause you have not exposed Yourself
TO the shot of gun. and cannon, and
sabres, and lances of the enemy. In
1870 you were taken up in Reischoffen
covered with many sabre wounds
among heap of dead cuisassiers5
Such deeds of heroism YOU have
crowned few weeks ago with one of
the most heroic actions which history
records. A grenade fell upon the am
bulance which was under your charge;
1t did not burst, but it might have
done so at any moment, and caused
| new wounds in the bodies of those who
| were already wounded; but there YOU
were-you took up the grenade in Your
| arms. you smiled upon the wounded
who looked at You with feelings of
dismay, not for themselves but for you,
| and you carried it away To a distance
| of eighty metres. On laying it down
| you noticed that it was going TO burst;
you threw yourself on the ground; it
burst; you We're seen covered with
blood, but when persons came to your
assistance, you rose up smiling, as is
your wont, and said, That is nothing!'
You are scarcely recovered from your
| wound, and YOU return to the hospi-
| tai whence l have just now summoned
YOU"
During these words of praise the
good nun held her head slodestly cast
down, with her eyes fixed upon her
crucitiX that hung by her side. Then
the General made her kneel down.
and, drawing his sword. touched her
lightly with it three times upon the
shoulder and pinned the Cross of the
Legion of Honor on her habit. saving
with quivering voice:
Il put upon you the cross of the
brave, in the name of the French peo-
pie and army; no one has gained il by
more deeds of heroism, nor by life so
completely spent in self-abnegation for
the benefit of your brothers, and the
service of your country. Soldiersi
present armsw
The troops saluted, the drums and
bugles rang out, the air was filled with
loud acclamations, and all was jubila-
ton and excitement as Mary Teresa
rose up, her face suffused with bushes,
and asked: General, have you fin
ished?"
Yes" said he.
We'll. then, | am going back to my
wounded soldier in the hospital"